The Paul Renner Record
Second Amendment and Gun Rights
Paul Renner served in the United States Navy for 20 years and strongly supports the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, as the enshrinement of one of our fundamental, individual, God-given rights to protect our own lives, our family’s lives, and our property.
Renner also fully embraces the doctrine that the Second Amendment is key to protecting our society from tyranny.
Key Legislative Action to Protect Our Gun Rights
In August 2014, Renner Supported The Stand Your Ground Laws In Florida, Citing It As An Appropriate Form Of Self-Defense. The Left-Wing Media’s Response is Telling:
“Renner’s sole clear shortcoming is his rigid, inflexible view on Florida’s controversial Stand Your Ground law. Renner said he saw no reason to tweak or revisit the confusing and ambiguous law, which lowers the burden on citizens to retreat before using a weapon and claiming self-defense in doing so. Few laws are perfect. Yet Renner suggested the state merely needs to do a better job of educating citizens on when Stand Your Ground applies as an appropriate form of self-defense. It’s regrettable that Renner appears to have no interest in even re-examining a law as polarizing, open to misinterpretation and potentially lethal as Stand Your Ground.” (“Florida House, District 15; Renner Is A Step Ahead,” Florida Times-Union, 8/21/14)
In February 2016, Renner Voted For Legislation Allowing Guns On College Campuses And Allowing Open Carry Of Guns.
“The Florida House approved campus carry and open carry gun bills largely along party lines Wednesday evening. But the measures are likely dead in the Senate, where there is bipartisan opposition. During four hours of debate, House Republicans and one Democrat argued that the bills each help to improve the safety of Floridians by allowing them more freedom in how and where they can legally carry weapons. ‘This house has shown a history to be conservative on gun issues and very supportive of Second Amendment rights, so we feel we passed a good couple of bills to send over to the Senate and we’ll see what happens from there,’ House Speaker Steve Crisafulli said. … How they voted House Bill 4001, which allows guns on college campuses, passed 80-37. Here’s how local representatives voted: Cyndi Stevenson Yes; Paul Renner Yes. On House Bill 163, which allows the open carry of guns, passed 80-38. Here’s how local representatives voted: Cyndi Stevenson Yes; Paul Renner Yes” (Tia Mitchell, “Florida House Passes Bill To Allow Guns On College Campuses,” The St. Augustine Record, 2/3/16)
In February 2018, Renner Voted Against an “Assault Weapons” Ban In Florida.
“A handful of students who survived last week’s slaughter at a Broward County high school looked on Tuesday as the Republican-controlled House rejected a push by Democrats to bring a proposed ban on assault-style weapons up for a vote. In a mostly party-line, 71-36 vote, the effort was defeated, effectively ending discussion of a ban for this session. Rep. Patrick Henry, D-Daytona Beach, voted in favor. Among the no votes were Republican Reps. Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast; Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach; and David Santiago, R-Deltona.” (John Kennedy, “Florida Legislature; House Says No Assault Weapons Ban,” News-Journal (Daytona Beach, Florida), 2/21/18)
In January 2023, then Speaker Renner Supported a Measure Allowing Concealed Firearms Carry without a Permit.
“Florida House Speaker Paul Renner is pushing a measure that would allow people to carry concealed firearms without a permit and without training, saying he wants to remove the ‘government permission slip.’ Renner had previously said that he wanted a permitless carry bill – something Gov. Ron DeSantis has also advocated for – during this year’s legislative session, which starts March 7. He announced the legislation during a news conference Monday, surrounded by the bill’s sponsors and Florida sheriffs. Standing alongside Renner, Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis, president of the Florida Sheriffs Association, endorsed the legislation. ‘I think we can assume that our citizens are going to do the right thing when it comes to carrying and bearing arms,’ he said.” (Romy Ellenbogen, “Florida Bill Would Remove Permit, Training Requirements For Concealed Gun Carry; The Florida Sheriffs Association Endorsed The Move, While Gun Safety Advocates Quickly Decried It.,” Tampa Bay Times, 1/30/23)
In the Legislative Sessions of 2023 and 2024, Speaker Paul Renner Pushed Legislation Lowering The Minimum Age To Buy Rifles And Long Guns To 18 After The Minimum Age Was Raised After The Parkland Shooting.
“With backing from Speaker Paul Renner, a House panel last week approved a bill that would lower the minimum age to buy rifles and other long guns in Florida from 21 to 18. The bill (HB 1543) would reverse part of a 2018 law that set the minimum age at 21 after a gunman killed 17 students and faculty members at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Nikolas Cruz, then 19, used a semi-automatic rifle to carry out the attack. The Republican-controlled House Criminal Justice Subcommittee voted 12-5 along party lines Monday to approve the bill. Under the 2018 law, people under 21 can receive rifles and other long guns as gifts but cannot purchase them. “The Florida House is restoring the ability of young adults to exercise their Second Amendment rights,” Renner, R-Palm Coast, said in a prepared statement after the vote. (“Panel Backs Lowering Age To Buy Guns,” Santa Rosa Press Gazette, 3/1/23)